The Daily Source of Urban Planning News
Will Washington D.C. Follow NYC's Lead Towards Congestion Tax?
<p>D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty recently stated his desire to investigate the feasibility of a congestion tax, sparking immediate debate about the possible effects on the region.</p>
Granny Flats An Easy Fix For Affordable Housing
<p>If communities are serious about creating more affordable housing, laws against accessory units should be changed.</p>
Does Your Neighborhood Have A Blog?
<p>A new survey finds that neighborhoods experiencing gentrification have a high number of people blogging about their community.</p>
Schwarzenegger To Slash California Bullet Train Funding
<p>California governor cites other pressing transportation needs.</p>
Will Reduced Transit Fares Bring Back Bus Riders?
<p>While San Jose's light rail ridership has soared, its bus ridership has plummeted over 33% in six years. In an unprecedented effort to restore ridership, the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority has decreased day and monthly pass prices.</p>
Mexican President Proposes Road Privatization
<p>Despite a crumbling toll road that many call a failure, Mexican President Felipe Calderón is pushing measures that would create numerous toll roads in the country. With little money to invest in infrastructure, his plans rely on privatization.</p>
FEATURE
Minimizing The Effects Of The Kelo Decision
While many local governments have been utilizing the eminent domain powers granted to them by the Kelo case, the American Planning Association hasn't been successful in finding ways to limit the decision's negative effects. But as Richard May, FAICP explains, there are many ways to reduce any damage done.
Construction Begins On Nation's Largest Park For Disabled Children
<p>In California, a huge team of volunteers is building the nation's largest playground for disabled children, equipped with slides and ramps wide enough for wheelchairs, rubber ground padding, and textured play surfaces for blind children.</p>
Demand Rises For Entire-Family Housing
<p>As Baby Boomers reach retirement age, many homebuilders are seeing a demand for housing that can accommodate the boomers, their aging parents, and even their adult children and grandchildren.</p>
Locals Oppose Scale Of Apartment Complex In National Park
<p>The Presidio of San Francisco -- the nation's only privately-operated National Park -- has been trying for years to redevelop one of its buidings into an apartment complex. Citing local concerns, a recent proposal for 350 units has been denied.</p>
Building Condos And Communities
<p>Condo projects in New York are adding community-building features to new developments that encourage residents to come out of their homes and interact.</p>
County Officials Want 'Smart' Plan To Handle Growth
<p>A sparsely-populated rural county in South Carolina is expecting the development of more than 40,000 homes over the next couple of years, which will more than double the population. County officials are looking to create a smat growth plan.</p>
Why Only The Private Sector Can Save Amtrak
<p>A progressive -- if cynical -- argument for privatizing Amtrak: only private interests can borrow the necessary capital to upgrade it, and have the clout necessary to lobby Congress to support the service adequately.</p>
The Pros and Cons of Inclusionary Zoning
<p>A growing number communities have adopted inclusionary zoning polices as the price of housing has risen dramatically over the past several years. The question remains: does it work?</p>
L.A. Develops A New Tool To Grow Taller, Denser
<p>L.A.'s sprawl is not so much a matter of choice as of policy, with even its downtown artificially limited to a 6:1 FAR. But as the city clamors for greater density, a clever plan to transfer air rights is in the works.</p>
Single Person, Double Impact?
<p>The growing population of single-person households may be an ecological time bomb, suggests Heidi Sopinka.</p>
Miami Moves Closer To Metrorail Expansion
<p>Though funding is not ensured, the Miami-Dade Transit Authority has received permission from the federal government to start acquiring land for its 9.5 mile Metrorail line expansion.</p>
Preservation And Planning Roadblocks For Developers In Historic Cities
<p>Creating new developments in historic European cities is a struggle for developers, who often endure long waits for planning approval and strong opposition from preservationists.</p>
The Political Evolution of San Francisco's Bicycling Community
<p>From monthly 'Critical Mass' bike rides to growing influence on city policy, SF cyclists recount their numerous victories and recent setbacks.</p>
Assembling Land Without Eminent Domain
<p>A new approach to land assembly gives property owners a stake in redevelopment, and offers a alternative to the use eminent domain.</p>
Pagination
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